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Description
The aim of the project is to contribute to the creation of a democratically oriented, socially aware, and humane society by providing support to children and young people who are threatened by social exclusion in the context of social affirmation and achieving equal opportunities. The project will develop volunteering as a form of strengthening social cohesion and equality and encourage active participation of children and youth and other stakeholders in creating preconditions for creating a society of equal opportunities as a basis for exercising their fundamental, democratic rights by increasing access to social facilities for children and youth in Osijek-Baranja and Vukovar-Syrmia County. Insufficient cooperation of stakeholders in the field of development of participatory democracy aimed at solving social problems in the community affects the lower involvement of children and youth in social activities, which results in feelings of discrimination and stigmatization.
The lack of skills that are important for volunteering and activism in the community causes greater passivity in the engagement of the individual aimed at building a healthy community. There is an evident negative impact of necessary but excessive use of technology on their psycho-physical development, worsening by the recent Covid epidemic which proves even more significant negative consequences and affects the susceptibility to health problems of children and youth, higher incidence of unacceptable behaviors, and greater social exclusion. This project is a response to the needs of children and young people (100) and will ensure greater activism, social inclusion, tolerance, development of knowledge and skills in the field of entrepreneurship, volunteering and improving self-confidence, self-esteem, shaping achievement goals, taking control and self-control which are all crucial to the more successful long-term development of children and youth.
Summary of project results
The project "Active NGO" focused on several important challenges. One major issue was the lack of collaboration among stakeholders working to develop participatory democracy and address community problems. This lack of cooperation led to lower involvement of children and young people in social activities, which in turn caused feelings of discrimination and stigmatization. The pandemic further intensified these problems, as technological advancements negatively impacted the mental and physical development of young people, increasing health issues, inappropriate behaviors, and social exclusion.
To tackle these problems, the project aimed to strengthen civil society and promote active citizenship. It focused on empowering vulnerable groups, especially children and young people in the Osijek-Baranja and Vukovar-Srijem counties. The project encouraged activism, social inclusion, tolerance, and the development of skills in entrepreneurship and volunteering. By doing so, it aimed to boost the self-confidence and self-esteem of participants.
The project also sought to improve the availability of social activities and encourage active participation in the community. It worked to enhance the capacity and sustainability of the participating organizations and the wider civil sector. This included providing training, establishing and strengthening partnerships, and improving their work with young people and local communities.
The project focused on enhancing methodologies for working with children and young people, conducting a series of online meetings and a focus group. It successfully mobilized and engaged citizens, supported vulnerable groups, improved methodologies for working with youth, and fostered new initiatives through strategic partnerships and educational efforts.Throughout this effort, a total of four activities were carried out, including three online meetings held on, and a focus group. These activities facilitated the exchange of best practices among partner and collaborating organizations, strengthened community networks, and led to improved methodologies for working with vulnerable groups. A key recommendation from these sessions was to document and utilize examples of good practice in methodology, which emerged from past experiences, workshop discussions, and the project''s implementation. This approach was aimed at fostering a “growth mindset” and encouraging a positive perspective on solving challenges.
The project also addressed volunteerism, which was a significant focus for the partnership. A key activity included sharing the experiences of volunteers from various programs and actions, leading to their inclusion in a focus group. A meeting on NGO volunteering and education was held, involving participants from partner organizations, the Faculty of Economics in Osijek, and DIY from Norway. A notable recommendation from this meeting was to share information directly and through conversations, emphasize networking through volunteer activities, and mentor volunteers, which helps in building capacities as volunteers may later transition into professional roles within organizations.
Educational initiatives for children and young people were carried out in the areas of volunteering, entrepreneurship, and activism. A total of six educational workshops were conducted: two on “Teaching Me How to Volunteer,” two on “Proactive and Entrepreneurial,” and two aimed at development of entrepreneurial skills titled “Passing It On.” These workshops engaged 84 participants, exceeding the initial target of 40, and fostered collaboration with educational institutions, resulting in a signed Cooperation Agreement. Through these activities, 130 children and young people were empowered, and democratic culture, civic awareness, and engagement were strengthened. The workshops involved four NGOs in designing and implementing educational programs related to civic education, promoting best practices in these areas. Additionally, partnerships with four organization atives from Croatian partner organizations. This visit provided insights into Norwegian best practices in community volunteering, such as volunteer programs that included repairs, equipment maintenance, and providing free access to sports equipment. The visit enhanced the participants'' motivation and provided examples of advocacy activities, such as campaigns for community infrastructure improvements. These examples were valuable for the development of new initiatives and collaborations in Croatia.
Volunteer programs and actions included several activities. A notable project, “Let’s Improve Our Space!” involved two volunteer actions: one at the Rowing Club Vukovar in Osijek, and another at the Youth Peace Group Dunav in Vukovar. These actions involved cleaning and organizing the spaces of these organizations, with 49 participants overall, surpassing the initial goal. The project aimed to promote volunteering and activism in the community, improve social inclusion, and foster healthy living habits.
A sports-educational camp held in Orahovica, included 77 participants and featured joint training and education sessions for participants from various sports clubs. An excursion to Draž for children and youth engaged 53 participants and promoted social inclusion and healthy habits. Additionally, six volunteer actions titled “Volunteers for a Healthy Body and Mind” were organized, involving 20 volunteers who supported over 130 children and youth.
Promotional activities included the development of the portal www.zamlade.net, where six volunteers contributed to publishing 25 articles. A conference titled “How to Enhance Youth Activism in Building Active Communities” was held in Vukovar with 61 participants from various sectors. This conference summarized project results, proposed improvements for methodologies in working with children and young people, and included a public campaign featuring three video segments promoting sports and volunteerism. These activities aimed to increase youth engagement in sports and volunteering, demonstrating the positive impacts of such involvement on community development.
The project has made significant strides in empowering children, youth, volunteers, and partner organizations, with a notable impact on various beneficiaries.
For children and youth, the project engaged 164 participants who experienced increased social inclusion and developed healthier lifestyle habits. They gained skills in entrepreneurship, volunteering, and tolerance, which enhanced their self-confidence and self-esteem. Through educational programs, sports camps, outings, and other volunteer activities, the project created a foundation for greater community activism and personal achievement. Feedback from participants, including both quantitative and qualitative data, shows significant improvement in their entrepreneurial, presentation, communication, motivational, leadership, and teamwork skills. This improvement was particularly evident from their involvement in sports, swimming, and team-based games, which also contributed to better social habits and engagement.
Volunteers, numbering 25, were strengthened through their participation in the project. They developed crucial skills for civic activism and increased their capacity in areas such as management, transparency, and community engagement. Volunteers were able to transfer the skills learned during the project to other initiatives and continue their involvement in future projects. This was evident in their participation in additional programs and ongoing roles within their respective organizations.
The project positively impacted four partner organizations by enhancing their capacities in civic education and community engagement. This included strengthening their experience in organizing educational programs and collaborating with public and educational institutions. Notable achievements include new partnerships with institutions like the Lavoslav Ružička Polytechnic and the establishment of joint programs, such as those focusing on lifelong learning and sports. The project also fostered international collaboration with Norwegian partners, resulting in planned joint activities and the creation of new projects.
Community impact was significant, with increased engagement through various activities. Sports clubs like VK Iktus and VK Vukovar, as well as organizations like MGM Dunav, saw an increase in their community presence and volunteer numbers. They enhanced their ability to implement volunteer programs and collaborate with other organizations, leading to a greater number of children enrolling in sports activities and an improved atmosphere within the clubs.
The project has laid the groundwork for ongoing collaboration and sustainability. It has created conditions for continued volunteer activities and partnership development. Future plans include further collaboration between sports clubs and educational institutions, expansion of volunteer programs, and the development of new educational initiatives. The project’s success is reflected in the increased involvement of partner organizations in creating and advocating for public policies related to sports and youth development.
Summary of bilateral results
Partnering with the donor organization provided valuable networking opportunities and the exchange of best practices. The study visit allowed for face-to-face interactions, building trust and setting the stage for future collaborations. This visit highlighted potential for joint projects in areas such as Erasmus programs, European Voluntary Service, and the CERV program. It also offered insights into the Norwegian non-governmental sector, particularly small rural organizations that address community needs with minimal administrative overhead and rely on local fundraising due to limited project-writing capacity.The main results of this bilateral partnership include sharing effective practices in community volunteer activities and methods for working with children and youth. Agreements were made to continue working together on Erasmus Plus, CERV, and European Solidarity Corps projects. The project greatly enhanced bilateral relations through the organization of the study visit and subsequent online meetings.Donor project partners played a key role in two areas: improving methodologies for working with children and youth and participating in the study visit focused on sharing best practices. Future cooperation will primarily revolve around Erasmus Plus projects and the European Solidarity Corps, as these align with the community''s needs for youth exchanges and support for people with disabilities. While Norwegian partners might not lead CERV programs due to capacity limitations, their examples of effective non-governmental work and volunteering will be used as models for implementation in the community. Plans for ongoing collaboration are already in place.